Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 794 miles, a gas price of $3.920 and a diesel price of $5.740 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.
| Truck | MPG | Gallons | Fuel cost | Towing a car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 16 | 50 | $195 | $229 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 72 | $283 | $333 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 88 | $346 | $407 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 99 | $389 | $458 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 113 | $445 | $523 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 99 | $570 | $670 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $250 in fuel alone, so it pays to rent only as much truck as you need.
Fuel prices at each end of the move
| Where | Gas | Diesel | Price basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa, FL | $3.981 | $5.740 | Florida average |
| Richmond, VA | $3.860 | $5.740 | Lower Atlantic average |
Prices at the two ends are within a few cents of each other, so where you fill up matters less than how fast you drive.
Weekly retail averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for the week of October 19, 2026. Prices along the way will vary. EIA source
Planning the drive
A loaded box truck is slower than a car on hills and safest at moderate speeds, and most drivers find 450 miles a comfortable day. That makes Tampa, FL to Richmond, VA a 2-day drive, so budget for hotel nights and meals on top of fuel. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.
Other moves
Going the other way? See Richmond, VA to Tampa, FL.
More moves from Tampa
- Tampa to New York
- Tampa to Los Angeles
- Tampa to Chicago
- Tampa to Houston
- Tampa to Phoenix
- Tampa to Philadelphia
- Tampa to San Diego
- Tampa to Dallas
- Tampa to Austin
- Tampa to Charlotte
- Tampa to San Francisco
- Tampa to Seattle
- Tampa to Denver
- Tampa to Nashville
- Tampa to Atlanta
- Tampa to Miami
- Tampa to Boston
- Tampa to Las Vegas
- Tampa to Orlando
- Tampa to Raleigh
- Tampa to San Antonio
- Tampa to Jacksonville
- Tampa to Columbus
- Tampa to Indianapolis
- Tampa to Sacramento
- Tampa to Oklahoma City
- Tampa to Portland
- Tampa to Louisville
- Tampa to Memphis
- Tampa to Baltimore
- Tampa to Washington
- Tampa to Milwaukee
- Tampa to Albuquerque
- Tampa to Tucson
- Tampa to Kansas City
- Tampa to Salt Lake City
- Tampa to Minneapolis
- Tampa to Detroit
- Tampa to Cleveland
- Tampa to Pittsburgh
- Tampa to St. Louis
- Tampa to Cincinnati
- Tampa to New Orleans
- Tampa to Boise
- Tampa to Birmingham
- Tampa to Omaha
- Tampa to Charleston
- Tampa to El Paso
More moves to Richmond
- New York to Richmond
- Los Angeles to Richmond
- Chicago to Richmond
- Houston to Richmond
- Phoenix to Richmond
- Philadelphia to Richmond
- San Diego to Richmond
- Dallas to Richmond
- Austin to Richmond
- Charlotte to Richmond
- San Francisco to Richmond
- Seattle to Richmond
- Denver to Richmond
- Nashville to Richmond
- Atlanta to Richmond
- Miami to Richmond
- Boston to Richmond
- Las Vegas to Richmond
- Orlando to Richmond
- Raleigh to Richmond
- San Antonio to Richmond
- Jacksonville to Richmond
- Columbus to Richmond
- Indianapolis to Richmond
- Sacramento to Richmond
- Oklahoma City to Richmond
- Portland to Richmond
- Louisville to Richmond
- Memphis to Richmond
- Baltimore to Richmond
- Washington to Richmond
- Milwaukee to Richmond
- Albuquerque to Richmond
- Tucson to Richmond
- Kansas City to Richmond
- Salt Lake City to Richmond
- Minneapolis to Richmond
- Detroit to Richmond
- Cleveland to Richmond
- Pittsburgh to Richmond
- St. Louis to Richmond
- Cincinnati to Richmond
- New Orleans to Richmond
- Boise to Richmond
- Birmingham to Richmond
- Omaha to Richmond
- Charleston to Richmond
- El Paso to Richmond